Creamed Spinach Berghoff--Chicago

"The Berghoff in Chicago is closed now, after 107 years. My parents used to take us kids to Chicago at least annually; morning was spent at one of the many wonderful museums, the afternoon at Marshall Field's (also sadly gone now) and lunch always at The Berghoff. And, of course, we all loved the creamed spinach (and the fresh rootbeer and the weinerschnitzel...). Many years ago, my mom was thrilled when Creamed Spinach Berghoff was printed in the "You Asked for It" column in Gourmet magazine; she passed it on to me. I admit that I use a 10 oz box of frozen spinach; otherwise I follow the recipe faithfully."
 
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photo by Lorrie in Montreal photo by Lorrie in Montreal
photo by Lorrie in Montreal
photo by Lorrie in Montreal photo by Lorrie in Montreal
photo by Lorrie in Montreal photo by Lorrie in Montreal
Ready In:
30mins
Ingredients:
8
Serves:
4
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ingredients

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directions

  • In a saucepan of boiling salted water, blanch 1# spinach for one minute.
  • Drain it in a colander and refresh it under cold running water.
  • Squeeze the spinach well and with a stainless steel knife, chop it fine.
  • In a small skillet, cook 1 onion, minced, in 2 T unsalted butter, over moderately low heat, stirring, for 5 minutes or until it is softened.
  • In a heavy saucepan, cook 3 slices of bacon, minced, over moderately low heat, until they are crispy.
  • Add 2 T flour to the bacon and cook the roux, stirring, for 3 minutes.
  • Add 1 C scalded half and half cream in a stream, whisking.
  • Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and simmer it for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in spinach, the onion and freshly grated netmeg and salt to taste.
  • Transfer to a heated serving dish.

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Reviews

  1. Wow!! What a dish!! A lot of chopping involved using fresh spinach (it would take me longer to try to find my food processor than chop it by hand) but totally worth the work. Hubby wants me to make this again real soon. I also liked one reviewer's idea of using this as a layer in lasagna, sort of like a spinach bechamel. This recipe's a keeper!! Thanks.
     
  2. I've been wanting to try this forever and am so glad that I finally did. It is great! DH and I loved Berghoff's and are grateful that you posted this. I too added just a bit more half-and-half. Berghoff's may have closed but we'll be enjoying this recipe for years to come. Thanks BarbryT.
     
  3. Fantastic! Mine turned out way too sticky/thick, so I just thinned it out a bit with milk. Next time I will cut the bacon up into smaller bits.
     
  4. Made for Photo Tag Fall 07 Omigosh!I love this dish! I had it as a side to a Baked Rotini casserole and I think it would be divine as one of the layers in lasagna as well! Thanks for a tasty dish!
     
  5. This turned out delicious, but the sauce was a little thick, not saucy the way I remember it. The Berghoff was the first restaurant I ate at in Chicago, as a preteen visiting for the summer. I have loved creamed spinach since then, and the Berghoff's version is the best. Next time I will add more cream. Be sure to use freshly grated nutmeg - it makes such a difference.
     
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